The D23 Expo turned into a night to remember as Disney honored an array of A-list celebrities, including Angela Bassett and James Cameron, with the prestigious Disney Legend title.
- Aug 12, 2024
AceShowbiz - Kelly Ripa has officially cemented her legend status! On Sunday, August 11, the talk show host was named a Disney Legend, an honor bestowed on individuals who have significantly influenced the company, at the D23 event in Anaheim, California. Ryan Seacrest, her former cohost on "Live with Kelly and Ryan", presented the award in a touching moment.
Ripa humorously thanked Seacrest during her speech, saying, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm just so glad that you finally found something else to host." She went on to express her gratitude to Bob Iger and recall fond memories of her career and personal life connected to Disney, even jokingly crediting Disney labs for her family with Mark Consuelos.
Other stars who were also named Disney Legends included Miley Cyrus, Angela Bassett, James Cameron and Jamie Lee Curtis. As Seacrest pointed out in his introduction, the Disney Legend title is for creatives who have "pushed the envelope of creativity, challenged conventional wisdom and broken the restraints of the status quo."
"This feels surreal for me, and I wanna thank Bob Iger for this truly magical experience. I've known Bob for incidentally 35 years, and he has not aged a day," Ripa joked during her acceptance speech.
Angela Bassett was recognized for her versatile roles across three decades with Disney, including her iconic performance as Queen Ramonda in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever". Director Ryan Coogler praised Bassett for her leadership and contribution to the industry, stating, "She’s incredible. She’s been incredible for decades."
James Cameron, celebrated for his work on the "Avatar" franchise and other groundbreaking projects, was honored by Zoe Saldana. Cameron used his moment to honor his late producing partner Jon Landau, saying, "All of us in the 'Avatar' family miss him dearly. We make it our goal to carry on his legacy as the unsung Disney Legend."
The night was filled with heartfelt moments and recognitions, marking the impact of these exceptional individuals on the Disney legacy. As the event highlighted, the Disney Legend award is the highest honor Disney can bestow, celebrating those who have made an indelible mark on the company through their creativity and dedication.